Chapter 34: Chapter 34

C34 – Tired to Death

Though the watermelon field had been tended to, the signs of planting were still evident.

Xia Guo naturally captured the scene on video.

“I recall Yabei’s video featured numerous shots of ripe watermelons. You could download those,” Zhao Yuegu mentioned offhandedly as he started to smooth out the soil.

Ma Yabei and Xia Guo stood by, watching Zhao Yuegu’s efforts with a touch of embarrassment, feeling somewhat out of place.

“Let me give you a hand,” Ma Yabei offered, her curiosity getting the better of her. Having grown up in the city, she had never experienced this rural lifestyle, which she found intriguingly new.

Xia Guo remained silent but rolled up her sleeves to tend to the watermelon vines, considering it a way to express gratitude to Zhao Yuegu.

Yet, both women found their attention drawn to Zhao Yuegu.

“His labor flows so effortlessly, so harmoniously—it’s practically an art form,” Xia Guo remarked, pushing up her glasses, her mind awash with amazement.

There’s a master in every trade, and Zhao Yuegu’s skill was on par with that of a seasoned farmer.

What they hadn’t anticipated was how effortless this task was for Zhao Yuegu, who also relished the opportunity to admire the two beauties. Their fleeting moments of grace delighted him, and the way their clothes clung to them in motion showcased their impeccable figures, prompting Zhao Yuegu to click his tongue in appreciation.

Whether they were effective workers was beside the point; the pleasure of the view was enough for him. Regrettably, the fieldwork was completed all too soon.

But then, the system’s voice intruded upon Zhao Yuegu’s thoughts, disrupting his gaze.

Ding! Congratulations to the host for clearing the entire watermelon patch. You have been awarded 300,000 dollars.

Three hundred thousand dollars—roughly equivalent to two million RMB—a substantial sum.

Zhao Yuegu felt slightly annoyed.

Couldn’t the system mute itself?

It was interrupting his enjoyment of the scenery.

However, he noticed that despite the minimal work the two women had done, the system had still allocated the reward to him.

That was quite satisfactory.

“Come on, let’s head home. I’ll treat you to some watermelon.”

Both Ma Yabei and Xia Guo were thrilled.

“Let’s head back quickly.”

“Sure, and let’s take some of my homegrown rapeseed greens with us. I want you to try them,” Zhao Yuegu proposed.

He was feeling a craving for the greens himself.

Taking a slight detour, they soon reached the rapeseed field.

From a distance, Xia Guo and Ma Yabei caught sight of the vibrant yellow blossoms and their excitement surged.

They completely forgot about the watermelons and dashed toward the flowers.

“It’s gorgeous!”

“Absolutely stunning.”

“Did you plant all these?”

The girls meandered through the floral expanse, their beaming faces outshining the blooms.

Watching them laugh and chat amidst the flowers, occasionally pausing to inhale the sweet scent, was a picture of pure joy.

Beauty, a sea of flowers, a gentle breeze, the setting sun—it was as if all the world’s splendor had paused in this moment.

Zhao Yuegu felt a surge of emotion he couldn’t quite articulate.

If only Yabei were here alone.

A setting like this could easily warm the heart.

In this secluded spot, the possibilities seemed endless.

Could something more than friendship unfold?

Who could say?

Ma Yabei quickly caught up to Zhao Yuegu.

“The rapeseed you’ve grown smells even sweeter than any I’ve experienced.”

“Those tourist spots don’t hold a candle to this place.”

Xia Guo silently agreed.

The fragrance was just right—pure, neither too strong nor too faint, likely thanks to the system’s premium seeds.

The two of them lost themselves in the joy of the moment, their clothes disheveled by their carefree frolicking.

Only when nightfall enveloped the sky did they leave the field, with great reluctance.

“Time to head back?”

“Ah, my leg is cramping.”

Ma Yabei suddenly collapsed to the ground, wincing in pain.

She was unaccustomed to such vigorous activity.

Her legs felt like jelly, unable to support her, and she plopped down.

“It’s so painful.”

Zhao Yuegu massaged her leg.

Hmm.

His hands sank into the softness…

It was a pleasant sensation!

If only Xia Guo weren’t right there.

“My legs are cramping too.”

Xia Guo also sat down abruptly, clutching at her own leg in distress.

She rarely exercised, so leg cramps were an inevitable nuisance.

Zhao Yuegu felt somewhat awkward.

He hardly knew Xia Guo.

Sure, he had touched her back when he carried her, but that was an extraordinary circumstance, wasn’t it?

Now, what was he to do?

He couldn’t very well show favoritism.

“Can you make it back if we rest a bit?”

“I doubt it.”

Zhao Yuegu eventually let out a sigh.

“It’ll get dangerous if it gets any darker. Who knows what might come out of these mountains.”

The expressions on both girls’ faces soured.

“What if you help us walk back slowly?”

Zhao Yuegu didn’t refuse. He gave it a try, but quickly realized the pace was painfully slow.

Finally, he couldn’t bear it any longer. He hoisted one over each shoulder, his hands supporting their knees, and made his way home.

Ma Yabei shyly buried her head in Zhao Yuegu’s chest.

She was wearing a dress, after all.

Xia Guo was equally embarrassed.

Alone with him, a stroll through the fields might have sparked a delicate mood.

She could have felt a surge of impulse.

But with two on his shoulders, any hint of romance was shattered.

Zhao Yuegu felt a sense of resignation.

No use thinking about it—he didn’t even know where to direct his thoughts.

Thankfully, they weren’t far from the courtyard.

Xueman came running out, his face alight with excitement.

“Brother, there’s eighty-six acres of land in the village ready for us to farm first.”